Yep I'm sad.
Yesterday morning I lost the most positive influence of my life, a man who I loved immensely, who I regarded so very highly, and who I respected mightily. He was my life-long friend, my mentor, my biggest fan, and my all time greatest hero.
That man was my Dad, and I was holding him when he breathed his last.....What an absolute honour.
Who I am and the abilities I have, are in no small part due to the incredible man that he was.
He ignited my passion for hunting, for bows and arrows, for fine guns, and for fishing.
His love and care, and his teaching and his guidance, have been some of the greatest blessings in my life.
He was always there, and he was always encouraging.
From a small child, just watching him and observing him as I grew older, he taught me so so much, about life, about the world, and about how a man should conduct himself.
He showed me what a good work ethic looks like.
Through-out the years, watching the way he loved and treated his precious treasured wife, my dear Mother, he consistently demonstrated how a man should love and treat his woman.
He taught me by example what it is to be genuine, to be loyal, and honorable.
He taught me how to be courteous, and he taught me about commitment and generosity.
He showed me how to read animals, how to observe them, how to care for them and how to care about them.
He taught me how to operate and maintain heavy machinery. He taught me how to use my hands, and how to use, sharpen and look after tools.
He taught me how think outside the square. He taught me how to find the dots, then join the dots. He taught me how to problem solve, and together we solved many different and varied problems.
He taught me how to build, and how to weld. He taught me to use logic and common sense.
His love and care for my wife and all our children was shown with a deep, accepting and oh-so genuine love.
That deep genuine love and care wrapped around all my brothers and sisters, their wives, husbands or partners, and all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren too.
He was strong and courageous, and he was decisive and a deep thinker.
He was generous, knowledgeable and wise,
And he always put others first, often to his own detriment.
What an amazing extrodinary man he was, and I am so honoured to call him my Dad
He was made of legendary stuff.
He was a true Gentleman
I know we don't live forever and I know he had to go sometime...........but I know I'm going to miss him.
Lex
sorry for your loss
So sorry. Prayers for you and all your family.
Murray
Sounds like the kind of man this world needed. My sincere condolences and prayers for you, your family and all who knew him.
My condolences to you and your family sir.
So very sorry for your loss.
Sending our deepest condolences and prayers for your family. Mike
Sorry for your loss.
Lost my dad also years ago.
:pray:
Lex my friend....
You have a dad like every human on the planet needs. All you have described is not only a Great dad , but a Great person . We never really lose them....For everyone your Dad spent time with will forever carry those moments , live with those moments, share those moments . That my friend is GOOD beyond measure. An imprint of GOOD upon a species that is much needed as you know....
We are all deeply sorry for your lose my friend. In a way , we are all much the lesser without such fine men like your Father.
We are all also Thankful for the fine men like yourself that he helped mold into Great moldbuilders of good by example ....
Carry with you those great teachings my friend......share them .
Sincerest condolences Lex , with extended condolences to the many -family-friends-brothers & sisters.....peace.
Mate,
Legacies are all we really have .
I could only hope , moving on to the next life , to have my son write such words as you have about your dear Dad, his life and legacy ....
That would be the very finest of a life well lived
Sorry for your loss
Well done bud, what a beautiful way to honor your father. Sounds like the kinda guy we all need these days. I'm pulling for your family.
The loss of a father is a tough thing. You have my condolences and my prayers.
A well written tribute for a Life Well Lived... :clapper: Saddened for your loss, may you continue to be richly blessed :pray: :campfire:
:pray:
Prayers for you and your family during this time.
Condolences and well wishes to the family and friends left behind. Prayers for your father, as he travels on. My father passed in 2018 and his life made the lives of those he touched richer, as did your father's. Peace be with you, friends and family.
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
A Lex, that was a really a fine testament to your father. He sounds like a great man and a great father. May his memory be eternal. George
Prayers up for you and yours Lex!!!!!
Bisch
Beautifully written my friend. I'm sure he is very proud of you. My most deepest condolences.
Condolences
From your write up, he was a great man.
Prayers sent. My condolences
I can see you thought the world of him, and he of you. Prayers up.
Prayers for you and your family sir! You had the kind of Dad that some folks only dream about! Godspeed on your Dads next journey!
>>>------->
I'm very sorry to hear of your loss, my brother.... :pray:
Loosing a Dad, is hard!! The man you looked up to, and admired all of your life, is gone...
Unfortunetly, the body only lasts so long. But the spirit, and the memories, last forever.
So sorry for your loss.
Your words convey how much you loved him, and how much he loved you as well. I can only hope one day that my son has such words to say about me.
Wow what a great man! That's what this world needs more leaders like him. What a blessing to have had teach you so much. I know his words will ring in your ears forever. Prayers for you and your family :notworthy:
Sorry to hear this. I also lost my Dad just four weeks ago. He also taught me about the important things in life. How to treat people, Love of God and his word, love of family, small game hunting and a work ethic that puts most of todays generation to shame. We learned to deer hunt together and had a great time doing it. Prayers and thoughts to you and your family.
A Lex, very sorry for your loss. I experience many of the same things as you mentioned. My dad taught me how to fish, how to hunt, how to bowhunt. He and my mom bought a hunting weight bow for my thirteenth birthday. He also taught me how to solder pipe fittings, a little wiring also.
It hits me most when I am walking alone, out of the woods on the last days of archery season, as I watch the sun going down. One of my friends who had already lost his dad said to me," it's like a black hole that has entered into my life that will never get filled".
Very true, but the depth of sorrow felt at this time is very much tied to the quality of your relationship with your dad. I celebrate the life you had with him. Everybody should have a dad like that.
God bless you and yours.
What a beautiful tribute. May God's peace be with you and all your family.
So sorry for the loss of your dad. May his memory be eternal.
Sorry for your loss.
I know how that is.. :pray:
Solace from France.
I'm very sorry to hear of your great loss. Prayers and condolences are offered.
Nice tribute to your father and I'm sorry for your loss.
It really hits home with me. My Dad was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, so I know I'll be feeling the same pain as you in the not too distant future.
Sorry for your loss, its never easy, I lost my dad 31 years ago and i think about him every day...
An exceptional and moving testament to a great man. I've walked in your shoes, more than 30 years ago now and there isn't a day goes by I don't miss him. I only wish I'd gotten to know him better as an adult. As with you, he was my best friend and gave more than I could ever repay in a thousand lifetimes.
You and yours are in my thoughts and prayers.
A devastating loss of a treasure beyond measure.
As long as we live, they too will live; for they are now a part of us; as we remember them.
Your response to this overwhelming grief appears to be a resolute commitment to maintain your father's memory. It can turn one's sad thoughts and recollections to how to live a good life that would honor one's father.
May God remain with your father as well as yourself.
Hate that Lex- hang tough buddy- be strong for the others
Tim B
The world is poorer for your loss, our loss, this man, but richer for having had your father in it. And far richer, in that your family will flourish, nurtured by the values that you all have lived by.
The light of your father shines in the eyes of those who love him.
Blessings in this time of sorrow. And hope.
Killdeer
Sorry for your loss I lost my dad in December.
That was beautiful write up and sorry for your loss. Lost my Dad 3 years ago and felt the same way. My condolences and prayers for you, family and friends.
I'd say you did your Dad proud with that write-up. Sounds like a fine fellow and great Dad.
I feel the same about mine. I lost him 26 years ago. He was only 62 years old and had only two months until retirement from the Railroad. We had plans to buy a fishing boat. God had other plans.
Sorry for your loss!
A very nice tribute to your Dad, so sorry for your loss. May he Rest in Peace!
Deepest sympathies and prayers sent for you and your family. Praying that the Lord Jesus will calm the storm that you are in. Sincerely, Tradcat
Alex, we know you're hurting and we are here for you whenever!
Shick
So sorry to hear of your loss. Only thing that helps now is time, believe it or not the pain will abate and you'll have your memories for life!
God's blessing's for you and your family. :pray:
Thank you all for your sympathy and kind words. He was an amazing man.
He wanted his ashes scattered on the river where we have camped since the early 70's. As an extended group of family and friends, we will do just that in November.
Life goes on, and we have heaps of treasured memories, of the man he was, and who he was to us. I am ever greatful to have known him and to have had his love and guidance.
Again, thank you all.
Best
Lex
Sounds like your father was a very good man! His good works will influence the next generation. My condolences to your family
A Lex, I offer my deepest condolences for the loss of your father. You are a lucky man to have had a father that blazed a path for you and provided you with so many great memories. You and your loved ones are in my thoughts and prayers.
So sorry to hear that Sir. God Speed to you.
Deepest condolences! :pray:
Beautiful words, mate. Very sorry for your loss.
Quote from: Tradcat on September 02, 2022, 07:43:14 PM
Deepest sympathies and prayers sent for you and your family. Praying that the Lord Jesus will calm the storm that you are in. Sincerely, Tradcat
A Lex, I'm sorry for your loss, but glad that you shared so much, and had the benefit of a good and caring father. It saddens me to see the trend toward single parent families today. I had a great experience growing up with my dad and uncles. Just can't imagine anyone growing up without those influences. Thank god that you were fortunate to have such a wonderful person for a dad, friend, and mentor. :archer2:
My deepest sympathies over your loss, and you & your family are in my prayers.
My dad passed away a little over a year ago. He was a lifelong traditional bowhunter, so when us kids each got a little bit of his ashes I quickly got in contact with Dick Robertson. Dick agreed to build me a new longbow that would include a pinch of dad's ashes in the build. The bow shoots perfectly and last month I took "dad" with me to Alaska on a black bear hunt. Felt good to "have dad there" with me.
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My condolences Lex. I lost my Dad 6 weeks ago and it seems like our Dads came from the same mold. Everything your Dad was so was mine. We have to be two of the luckiest people to have been blessed with such great Dads. Stay strong. Praying for you and your Family.
Your dad sounds like quite the man. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
Once a man loses his father, there's a part of him that is gone forever. However, the best fathers live on through the energy and love they poured into those around them.
What a wonderful thing for a son to speak so highly of his father!
My condolences to you and congratulations to to your dad for a job done exactly right!
My prayers for your Father and your family.
I'm sorry for your loss but take solace knowing you had such a great relationship
Good men (and women) are always missed, my sincere condolences to you and yours.
Prayers to you and your family
Lex, your life will never be the same, I know this because I went through the same , sitting with your father in that moment of passing is both the most sad but yet, most grateful time I can ever remember. I'm sure you would say the same. So sorry for you loss, I know how much you loved your father, it's in you description of a life of great accomplishment. He sounded like a great person. My sincere condolences to you and the one that knew him, God bless